The Humvee, or High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, is the most famous and instantly recognisable piece of US military hardware. Its appearance bracketed a period of US interventionism that began in Panama to overthrow dictator Manuel Noriega and ended in the chaos of Iraq and Afghanistan. Click here to Learn More.
Over the years, the funny-looking 4×4 has conquered mud, sand and rocks, evaded detection in desert environments and pulled trailers down the highway. It has even dangled from the back of CH-53s and been carried in the belly of Marine Expeditionary Units.
The Humvee is one of the most iconic and versatile military vehicles in history. It first gained fame during the Gulf War of 1991, when its offroad capabilities helped it to navigate challenging desert conditions. Since then, it has played a critical role in many different military operations and is now used by dozens of countries across the world.
The history of the Humvee began in the 1970s, when the US Army recognised that it needed better performing vehicles to keep up with changing battlefield tactics and weapons systems. It wanted a single jack-of-all-trades light tactical vehicle that could perform the roles of multiple existing trucks, such as the M561 Gama Goat and M151 Jeep. In 1979, it started the process of designing a new truck, which would eventually be known as the Humvee. The Army drafted a request for proposals that asked defence contractors to design prototypes of what became the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, or HMMWV. Companies including AM General, Chrysler Defense and Teledyne Continental were given contracts to build these prototypes.
Initially, the Humvee was unarmored, meaning it was vulnerable to roadside improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Soldiers like Scharre were quick to remedy this issue by adding armour kits and even removing doors to make the vehicles more manoeuvrable. However, the Humvee was still not a particularly strong or safe vehicle, and during the Iraq War in 2006, it was found that the armour was easily breached by rocket-propelled grenades.
In 2015, the Humvee was replaced in frontline military service by the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), which was designed to be stronger and faster than its predecessors. Although JLTVs are replacing Humvees in some military roles, the Humvee will continue to play a crucial role in the military for years to come.
The Design
The military designed the Humvee to carry a lot of gear and withstand harsh conditions. It has to be able to traverse rocky hills, deep sand, 60in-deep water and desert heat while still allowing the crew to do their job. It also has to be able to drive for long periods of time with minimal maintenance. During the design process it was tested over 965,606km.
Luckily, the Humvee passed with flying colors. Over the years, it has been used all over the world and is one of the most recognized vehicles in history. It is still being used by the military today although it is slowly being replaced with newer models of armored vehicles.
The latest version of the HMMWV, called the JLTV, is a massive improvement over the old Humvee. It is more fuel efficient, has more power and can travel further on a tank of gas. The military is hanging onto the Humvees though, as they are a reliable vehicle that can do what it is designed to do.
Another reason the Humvee is so popular amongst enthusiasts is its ability to be modified. This can be done by adding more power, better suspension and more lights. It is possible to turn the Humvee into a monster offroader that can do what no other car can do.
Even though the Humvee is being replaced by newer vehicles, it will still be in service for many years to come. This is due to the fact that they are a reliable vehicle that can handle all kinds of terrain. They are also very easy to maintain and can last for a long time when they are taken care of properly.
The Engine
After World War II, the military knew it needed a vehicle to haul its expanding arsenal of weapons and gear. The Jeep could no longer keep pace. So in 1979, the Army’s Tank-Automotive Command issued a request for proposals for an entirely new tactical vehicle that would quickly transform into three different configurations-weapons carrier, utility vehicle and field ambulance. Three manufacturers of military vehicles submitted prototypes-AMC’s AM General division (maker of both Army jeeps and American Motors commercial jeeps) and two prominent suppliers of defense equipment, Teledyne Continental Motors and Chrysler Defense Division (now part of General Dynamics). The winner was a new High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, also known as the Humvee.
Its basic design is so versatile that it can serve as a cargo or troop transport, front-line reconnaissance patrol, mobile command post and more. In its most basic form, a Humvee can hold four people and carry about 3,000 pounds of equipment and supplies.
The basic Humvee is powered by a General Motors 6.2L diesel engine. Several variants are available, including a turbocharged 6.5L unit that produces just under 200 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque. While not a speed demon, these figures are sufficient to move the Humvee through even the most rugged terrain at a reasonable pace.
Since the Humvee’s inception, a variety of armor upgrades have been developed to provide increased protection against improvised explosive devices and other battlefield hazards. While many of these upgrades seem as improvised as the IEDs they’re designed to counter, some are quite serious. A number of models offer protection from high-volume offensive fire, including air-burst artillery and up to 12 pounds of blasts.
The Transmission
The Humvee’s unique drivetrain is a big part of what makes it so versatile. Unlike jeeps, the Humvee has an automatic transmission. This is a practical choice, as most military personnel learn to drive in cars that use automatic shifters. It also reduces maintenance costs, since manual gearshifts and clutches would be subject to much wear and tear.
The drivetrain is further distinguished by its portal axles. These allow the Humvee to travel over rugged terrain and off-road without the need for a low-range transfer case. In fact, it can climb slopes up to 60 percent. This unique feature, along with independent suspension and 37-inch tires, allows the Humvee to hit a top speed of 70 miles per hour. It’s not hard to see why the US Army chose this vehicle for its troops.
Despite its imposing size and formidable capabilities, the Humvee is still a relatively easy to maintain vehicle. As long as it’s driven on pavement and is properly maintained, a Humvee can easily last 300,000 to 500,000 miles. However, driving it off-road can put a heavy strain on the Humvee and shorten its lifespan.
Today’s Humvees can be outfitted for almost any mission a soldier could imagine. They have conquered mud, sand, rocks, snow, and ice, carried infantry fireteams through the desert, evaded detection in the jungle, and been dangled from CH-53 helicopters. The Humvee has even escaped the confines of the battlefield and traveled to foreign countries with Marine Expeditionary Units.
The Humvee will remain in the hands of the military for a while, as the Army has begun modernization efforts with plans to replace it with the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, or JLTV. The service is trying to strike a balance between prioritizing the vehicles of tomorrow and maintaining and upgrading its existing fleet.
The Interior
The HMMWV, better known as the Humvee, is a 4-wheeled light tactical military vehicle that’s used for a wide variety of purposes by all branches of the U.S. Military. The Humvee is famous for its ability to traverse rugged terrain, making it a favorite of off-road enthusiasts and military buffs.
Since the Humvee’s introduction in the 1980’s, it has become a symbol of American power and ruggedness. It has been used in battles around the world, including the Gulf War of 1991 and the more recent Iraq War. Now, the Army is replacing the Humvee with the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) but it’s a safe bet that they will hang on to a fleet of vehicles for years to come as backups.
One of the best things about a Humvee is that it’s a blank canvas waiting to be customized. You can add a wide variety of accessories and modifications to make the interior of your Humvee comfortable and stylish. Some of the most popular upgrades include seat upgrades, a new headliner, and an upgraded audio system.
Adding a new set of seats is an easy and affordable way to upgrade the comfort of your vehicle. Consider a seat upgrade with features like heating and cooling, adjustable armrests, and more. A new headliner can also improve the look of your vehicle and increase headroom. And a high-quality audio system can turn your Humvee into a mobile entertainment center.
There are many other options for enhancing the style and functionality of your Humvee. Floor mats are a great addition, as they help protect the interior and can complement your vehicle’s aesthetic. You can also add a new dashboard to update the look of your Humvee. And finally, a cargo basket is a great way to make more storage space available in your vehicle.